Dangerous Secrets

After a busy week at school, teacher Shauna Trenton is looking forward to her days of rest. The fact that she has no one to share it with doesnt bother her in the leastafter all, she doesnt need to have her heart broken yet again. But her uneventful life is turned upside down when upon arriving home, shes held at knifepoint on her own front porch!

When he hears screams coming from his new neighbors home, Levi McLeary doesnt hesitate to investigate, managing to scare off the attacker in the process. Recently returned to Deer Park, Washington, the last person he expects to find living next door is Shauna, the girl he left behind. And when it appears that the attack was not simply a random mugging, Levi begins to wonder if God has brought him back to his hometown for a reason.

Chapter Six

She should not be standing in Levis arms. Shauna knew it, but for a moment she didnt care. What harm could hugging an old friend do?

What harm? You could have your heart broken all over again, thats what harm!

Right. And she did not want another broken heart.

She stepped back, her cheeks heating as she met Richards gaze. What was he thinking? That she was falling for Levi again?

She wasnt.

She wouldnt.

"There was a bulb in that fixture this morning, Rich. It was on when I left for work."

"Youre sure?"

"Of course." She sidled past Levi, doing her best not to come in contact with him. She didnt need any more reminders of how good it felt to be in his arms.

"There isnt one now." Rich removed the fixture cover. He was right. No bulb.

"Thats strange."

"Looks like were dealing with a premeditated crime. Have you had any trouble at work? Any run-ins with the neighbors?" Richard seemed more intense than hed been when he first arrived, and his concern only added to Shaunas fear.

"Of course not."

"How about an ex-husband or boyfriend?" Levi broke in, and Shauna had the urge to tell him she had a hundred ex-boyfriends pining for her love. Unfortunately, her love life had been pretty dull since Matthew stood up in front of their wedding guests and proclaimed his love for another woman.

"None that would be holding a grudge."

"What about Matthew? I hear hes back in town." Richard looked up from the notebook he was scribbling in.

"He called a few times, but I didnt have anything to say to him. And I didnt return the calls."

"I think Ill give him a ring. See what he has to say." Richard tucked the notebook in his pocket. "In the meantime, keep your doors locked and your eyes open. If anything comes up, call me. You have my cell phone number, right?"

"Yes."

"And Ill be right next door." Levi offered as if they still had the kind of relationship that would make her want to depend on him.

"Ill be fine. Thanks."

"Probably, but in case you arent, Im a lot closer than the police."

Shauna didnt think she needed a reminder of that. All she had to do was look out the kitchen window and see the lights from the Harrison place, and shed know Levi was there.

"Thanks." It was the only response she could manage, and Levi nodded, said a quick goodnight to Richard and jogged down the porch steps. Shauna watched as darkness swallowed him, remembering all the times shed watched him walk away when they were teens. Remembering the last time hed walked away.